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R2, outs don't matter. I'm the base umpire in the C position. B1 hits a "dying quail" to short left center. I turn and step a few steps toward the outfield as F7, F8 and F6 all sprint for the ball. The ball drops ticks off F8's glove. R2 was part way to 3B and as soon as the ball drops, he takes off. F8 bobbles the ball a bit and R2 rounds 3B. After I see the ball hit to ground, I say/signal the no-catch and then back up further into the infield watching to see where the ball is going to go. Play ends up at 3B with R2 busting back to the bag. Throw from F8 beats the runner, but it's not clear to me that the tag made contact with R2. Runner dodged slightly toward foul territory on his dive. I call the runner safe at 3B. There was no objection from the defensive team. I will note that I saw my partner was on the 3B line. All of this happened fairly quickly, I tried to get more of angle, but could only get so far because I didn't know where the the throw was going. In my post game, partner lets me know he saw a clear tag from his perspective. (I specifically asked about the play). So here's my question. Other than working to get a better angle, should I? Call the runner safe and wait for the DC to ask me to check with my partner (This is what I would have done had he asked), Before making a call, shout to my partner "Rick, do you have a tag?" and make my call accordingly (and hope Rick was paying attention -- note from above, I did see him on the line, looking at the play), or Call the runner safe (or out), call time and then go to my partner and ask him privately before I'm asked (this doesn't seem right to me). Thank you in advance, -Steve

So we all (I assume) get the idea of the base umpire getting his calls, including tag plays. Yesterday this situation presented itself. I'm at the plate, partner is in "B", R3. Apparently, BU had chosen B to stay to the weak side of the right handed batter. (Full disclosure: I would not and do not do this, but apparently he decided to go there). Batter hits a sharp one-hopper to F1, who looks R3 back and then throws B/R out at first easily. As F1 releases the throw to F3, R3 then moves quickly down the line toward home several steps and stops, and begins a slow retreat to 3B. F3 fires it back to F5 and a tag is applied, which is an easy call given my angle from my position. R3 is clearly out by a step or two (R3 was not sliding), but as I give a glance to BU, he doesn't immediately signal and instead is looking at me; it was readily apparent that he was straight-lined on the tag; that's understandable, and I recalled later that he would likely have been straight-lined even if he'd been in "C" due to the positions of R3 and F5. I immediately call R3 out. How would my fellow umpires have handled this?